source: www.youthwork-practice.com | 2000 Games, Devotions, Themes, Ideas and more for Youth Work
only for private using

Snow camp with fire tent

Camping in the snow around the freezing point

snow camp with lapp teepee (kota)
©: www.youthwork-practice.com

It sounds a little odd, even worrying for parents when planning a tent camp with the youth group in freezing cold weather. Should I really let my child join?

Snow Terrain Games
©: www.youthwork-practice.com

So why not? Truly, this can be done with proper planning. If successful, it gives the young people a lasting memory.

The single most important thing is to set up an unwavering tent, which does not break down under the weight of snow. This would be dangerous if there is a heater in the tent or even a fireplace. The burning of the tent would be imminent. Therefore, a bucket with water has to be always close by.

In a yurt, you can insulate the floor with thick mates, a tarp and/or straw. The fireplace in the middle has to be prepared safely so that the fire under no circumstances can escape and reach the straw. We used to block it off with thick logs and, also, fill it out with soil.

Snow Camp - no problem for the kids
©: www.youthwork-practice.com

A latrine near the snow camp in the wood.
©: www.youthwork-practice.com

During the day time, enough wood has to be carried to the tent. – Ideally, there is already enough dry wood prepared, which would take care of the smoke inside the tent.

Usually the kids came home, smelling like smoked meat and pretty dirty. The long-awaited hot bath was most necessary and the bath tub was black afterwards. But! Who cares about a little bit of dirt after such an experience?

Colds? We didn’t get them. Some parents marvel that their children did not get sick spending all day out in the snow by low temperatures. Maybe, all the adventures let the kids forget to get sick …….

One more tip: if you intend to build a floor heating, you can cut out some grass bricks, fill it with a layer of hot coals and put the grass bricks back on top again. That will last for roughly one day. The effort you have to put in your floor heating is somewhat high and cumbersome. We just did that once, by deep snow and for only one night in the tent.